Type-writing machine.



PATENTBb JUNE 9, 1903.

P. T. DODGE. TYPBWRITING MACHINE. APPLIOATIDN FILED API L 11, 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

N0 MODEL.

WITNESSES INVENTOR m: mums mns (0., PucTo-u'm... wAsnlNBTan, a. c.

N9. 730,520. 'PATENTED JUNE 9, 1903, v P. T. DODGE. TYPE WRITING MACHINE. APPLIGATIQK FILED APR. 11 1902. I

2 sums-SHEET 2.

H0 MODEL.

II nun llill UNITED "STATES Patented June 9,1903( PATENT OFFIGE.

PHILIP T. DODGE, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

TYPE-WRlTING MACHINE.

SPECIFIUATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 730,520, dated June 9, 1903.

Application filed April 11, 1902. Serial No. 102,394. (No model.) I

T0 at whom, it rota/y concern:

Be it known that I, PHILIP T. DODGE, of Washington, District of Columbia, have invented anew and useful Improvement in Type-Writing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to that class of machines in'which the paper to be written;

Various sizes and shapes and frequently demanding the production of a large number of copies by the use of carbon-sheets between the paper sheets in the ordinary manner.

The aim of my invention is to simplify and cheapen the construction of the machine and permit the holding of sheets of various sizes and widths securely along both edges or along one edge and also along any desired, pointin their width, so that the matter may be written with accuracy at the exact point required and so that the sheets will be prevented from creeping or moving one upon another during the printing action.

To this endI combine with the bed or platen two longitudinal clamping bars or plates, one. of which is preferably fixed in posit-ion to se cure the sheet at one edge, while the other, lying parallel therewith,.is movable transversely of the platen, that it may be operated at any required distance from itscompanion as the varying-widths of the intermediate sheets may demand. a

Referring to-the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 represents a top plan view of the.

platen of my machine and the paper-confining devices thereon.

of Figs. 1, 2, and 5. Fig. 4 is a like section on a larger scale through the front end only. Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-section on the line 5 5 of Figs. 1, 3, and 4.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a fiat bed or platen for the purpose of supporting the sheets to be written upon. It may be inserted thereunder. formed on or attached to the forwardend of .the plate asa means of turning-the same Fig. 2 .is an end view of the same looking from the front. Fig. 3 is. a longitudinal vertical section on the line 3 3 of any suit-able material; but it is ordinarily of iron with a thin surfaceof vulcanized rubher, as usual in this class of machines.

13 B represent two parallel guide-rails, ex-v tending in a fore and aft direction along the sides of the platen and secured firmly "thereto by screws 0 or otherwise. These guides B support the open rectangular frame D, which is free to slide forward and backward for linespacing and which in turn gives support to the ordinary writing machine E, mounted to move right and left thereon for letter and word spacing.

The machine may be constructed in any or dinary manner and the ordinary devices provided to control the spacing movements of the machine and the-frame D.

Referring now to my improved devices for confining the sheets upon the platen beneath the writing mechanism, F represents a longitudinal clamping bar or plate lying lengthwise of the platen at the left side andmounted on a horizontal pivot-rod f, so that it may be turned upward and downward to release and confine the edge of the sheet or sheets G. In the present instance the clamp is mounted on a longitudinal pivot-rodf, sustained in plates f, extended and secured between the platen and the overlying-guideother end on the clamp-plate, urgingit down- -ward, s02 that it will securely hold the sheets A finger piece f is .upward to release the sheets and holding it while the sheets are being inserted thereunder. .fi

It will be observed that-by means of the foregoing device it is possible to secure one or more sheets along one edge securely upon the platen regardless of their length and this without the necessity. of removing orliftingv the writing mechanism or the guides which giveit support. I For the purpose of securing the sheets at the opposite or right-handedgelp'rovide a second clamping bar or plateK, extending lengthwise of the platen from end to end and carried at its ends by two arms it, both mounted loosely on a horizontal supporting-shaft L,

lying beneath the platen. One of these arms is fashioned into a finger-piece or handle 7s,

thedepression of which will serve to lift the clamp K from the platen against the action of a spring which tends to urge the clamp K downward with sufficient pressure to hold the sheet or sheets firmly in place. After the sheets are laid upon the platen it is only necessary to depress the handle 70 in order to lift and sustain clamp K, under which the sheets may be passed. On releasing the handle the clamp is automatically depressed and the sheets firmly held. It will be observed that the sheets may be extended beneath and beyond the clamp K, which may be used to confine them at any desired point in their width. This is particularly advantageous when, as is frequently the case, it is desirable to write u pon narrow sheets overlying broader sheets on which the matter on the upper sheet isto be made to appear through the medium of a carbon sheet, as usual.

As the bar K is a long one and liable to be twisted by lifting action applied at one end only, I connect its two sustaining-arms k beneath the platen by a semitubular or other stiif connection 70 as shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 5, adapted to resist the wringing or twisting strain.

In order that the clamp K may be caused to act along the margin of sheets of difli'erent widths, it is movable transversely across the platen, and to this end its supporting-shaft L is sustained in slides M, engaging over the ends of the platen and movable along its edges.

In order that the clamp K may be conveniently moved at both ends and kept parallel with clamp F, I provide the shaft L with pinions N, secured thereto and engaging racks 0, attached to the under side of the platen, so that when the shaft is rotated the pinions will travel along the racks, carrying with them the shaft-supporting slides M and the clamp. For the purpose of rotating the shaft L to effect the lateral movement of'the clamp a-knob Z is secured to its end.

While I prefer to retain the details of construction herein shown, it is to be understood that they may be variously modified without departing from the limits of my invention.

I believe myself to be the first to combine with the flat platen the spring-actuated clamp and means for lifting the same at both ends simultaneously, and also the first to combine with a clamp overlying the platen means for adjusting the same laterally and equally at both ends.

It is obvious that my clamping devices may be used in connection with machines of any suitable construction, and it is also obvious that two or more movable clamps may be employed. While I consider the rack and pinions the most reliable means for effecting an equal movement of the two ends of the clamp, it is to be understood that my invention includes any equivalent arrangement for the purpose.

Having described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In a type-writing machine, a fiat platen, guides along the sides of the platen, a writing mechanism movable on said guides for line-spacing, and two spring-actuated clamps extending lengthwise over the platen between it and the writing mechanism, said clamps operative independently of the machineguides and adjustable laterally one in relation to the other, whereby sheets of diiferent widths may be confined along their edges and released without moving the writing mechanism.

2. In a writing mechanism, the combination of a flat platen, slides at its ends, and a clamping-bar overlying the platen and pivotally connected to the slides.

3. In a type-writing machine, a fiat platen, a vertically movable clamp overlying the platen, and means for imparting lateral motion to the two ends of the clamp equally.

4. In a type-writing mechanism, the platen,

the slides thereon, the clamp hinged to the slides, and means for moving the two slides equally.

5. In a type-writing machine, a flat platen, a vertically-movable spring-clamp extending across .the same, slides carrying the clamp, a shaft carried by the slides and provided with pinions, and racks engaging the pinions,

whereby lateral movement of the clamp may be efiected.

6. In a type-writing machine, the flat platen and a writing mechanism movable thereover, in combination with slides M, mounted to move along opposite edges of the platen, and a spring-actuated clamping-bar extending over the platen and carried at its ends by the slides.

7. In a type-writing machine, a flat platen and a writing mechanism movable thereover, in combination with two parallel clamps extending longitudinally of the platen and ad justable laterally one in relation to the other, and means-for maintaining the parallelism of said clamps.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand, this 8th day of April, 1902, in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

PHILIP T. DODGE.

Witnesses:

M. A. DRIFFILL, A. J. STEIDEL. 

